“It’s the first time I remember being happy after my dad died.”
Brooklyn was slow to respond. “Alec. That’s so sad. You never told me that.”
“Of course I didn’t.” A single mention of it and he could feel the outer edges of the low place he’d been after losing his dad. He didn’t want to revisit it, but there were times when it was unavoidable. When grief came back in a wave and he simply had to ride it out. “When you’ve been sad for a long time and you finally get a break, you’ll do anything to grab that moment of happiness and hold on to it. You have no clue how long it will last.”
“Of course. I’m so sorry.”
“I also didn’t mention it because anything having to do with grief makes a pretty bad pick-up line.”
“I suppose it would.” She sighed. “Alec, it’s so late for you. Don’t you need to get to bed?”
“I’m actually already in bed.”
“We were having phone sex this whole time and I didn’t know it?”
He grinned. “I’m too tired for phone sex, Brooklyn. But it was good to catch up. It’s always nice to talk to you.”
“Thank you again for the flowers. Will I see you at the premiere on Friday? I heard Tilly Ann say that everyone from the show will be there.”
As much as he was dreading it, he knew he had to go. “I will be present and accounted for.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
“And Brooklyn…”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you to go into your date with Jason thinking that he’s better than you. He’s definitely not. Despite the superhero suit, he’s just a guy.”
“Thanks, Alec. I’ll try to keep that in mind.”
Alec hung up, knowing the one thing he wished he could do—giving theLavamanpremiere a wide berth—was not an option. He needed to be there and be on high alert. If Jason made one misstep, Alec was going to be there to catch it. At this point, protecting Brooklyn was the only thing he could do, but he’d have to be sly about it. She would kill him if he interfered.
Chapter Thirteen
Alec loved movies,and could admit that getting to attend opening weekend events was one of the best perks of being well-known, but he despised the red carpet. There were always too many cameras flashing at one time, he never knew which way to look, and all the while his mother’s voice was ringing in the back of his head telling him to stop slouching.
In theory, the event forLavamanwould be right up his alley. No tuxes, no long line of limos, and a red carpet that was far more egalitarian—for a sea of superhero film fans and a handful of VIPs early on a Friday evening. Of course, Brooklyn and Jason were going to be there together. But there were only so many problems he could think about at once.
Alec decided to go as Everyman as possible, forgoing a taxi or even driving himself and instead walking to the theater. It was the end of a beautiful late October day, the last strains of sun casting the city in an orange glow. This was what made living in Manhattan so magical. It was on days like this that New Yorkers fell back in love with the city.
Since it was a fan event, he didn’t dress up—just a pair of khakis, a blue cashmere V-neck sweater, and a pair of sneakers. But as he got closer to the theater, he quickly realized that his otherwise pedestrian attire was about to stick out like a sore thumb. Everyone—absolutely everyone—was in full-on cosplay. Grown men were wearing wigs that looked like flames, kids were carrying homemade versions of Lavaman’s magma bow-and-arrow, and there were women wearing the catsuit version of Jason’s superhero suit.
“Fuck.” Alec stood to the side, not wanting to venture anywhere near the red carpet. The press was going to murder him alive. Because of his job, he was already perceived as a mayonnaise sandwich on white bread in many circles. This urban dad look he was sporting wasnotgoing to make him seem any cooler. Part of him wanted to escape, but he also knew that he wouldn’t get any credit from the network for attending unless he was photographed at least once.
And then there was Brooklyn. He’d told her he’d be here. And he wanted to keep an eye on Jason.
He texted her.Are you here?
Almost there. Why? Where are you?
At the theater. What are you wearing?
Are you trying to sext me?
He grumbled under his breath.Invite said costumes encouraged, but optional.
You didn’t wear one?
